Freedom

3 Pages 670 Words

Government’s Opinion of Freedom Vs. The Definition of Freedom


In the song “God Bless the U.S.A.,” the lyrics are “I’m proud to be an American where at least I know I’m free, and I won’t forget the men who died that gave that right to me.” Many years ago, our four fathers put together the Constitution in order to insure us that we are and always will be free. What does freedom actually mean? Freedom means carrying out ones own actions without coercion or constraint by necessity or circumstances. Today the government’s opinions of freedom share some of the same characteristics as the definition, but their opinions have too many limitations to actually classify our country as completely free.
The First Amendment of the Constitution was written to guarantee one’s freedom of religion. This amendment prohibits congress from setting up or supporting an official church. In addition, it forbids congress from passing laws limiting worship. The First Amendment states that congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof. Although this may be true, this does not mean that all religious practices must be allowed. In fact, congress prohibits multitudinous amounts of religious worship. Religious ceremonies of cults, worshiping the devil in prison, and acts similar to the Klu Klux Klan are exceptionally forbidden. For example, Mormons believed that it was a man’s duty to have more than one wife; still the Supreme Court ruled that Mormons had to obey the laws forbidding that practice.
The First Amendment also guarantees freedom of speech. It says that congress shall make no law abiding the freedom of speech, or of press; or the right to peacefully assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances. Nevertheless, the government still manages to limit our country from some protected speech. Often, the time, place, and manner are re...